TIDAL Rising: Dae Dae

TIDAL Rising: Dae Dae

Dropping out of high school at the age of 14 to focus on his music, the 300 Entertainment claims influenced from the likes of Drake, Andre 3000, 2Pac, Rick Ross and Anthony Hamilton. Dae Dae first began to make a name for himself in 2015 with the release of his “Wat U Mean (Aye, Aye, Aye)” single, which rose to #14 on U.S. charts and garnered remixes from such artists as Lil Yachty and Young Dro in addition to earning him a performance at the 2016 BET awards.

His latest project, The DefAnition, is a collaboration between the rapper and producer London On Da Track. Look out for a chance to catch Dae Dae live on his upcoming “Birth of A New Nation” tour alongside fellow up-and-comers PNB Rock and Shy Glizzy.

We sat down with the Rising rapper in an effort to get to know him just a little bit better.

Who is Dae Dae? Can you introduce yourself?

I’m an artist from Atlanta. Streetwise, I didn’t really have much in life, you know? Grew up with my father and his sons. Always wanted to be them. I always wanted to be like my dad. I always wanted to be like my brothers. My dad was trying to get me into music. I used to find myself just going through music, different styles. Just a talented guy who wants to share his dreams with everyone. Humble, a great role model, great friend. I want to play a big impact in people’s lives. A good person that don’t want to see no one down. That’s Dae Dae.

When and how did you start making music?

I started making music when I was 15. I started trying to rap when I was probably 8, just watching my dad and my brothers freestyle. At 15 is when my dad first bought the studio. My mama had given me my income tax. She gave me like $700 every year. Every year I would always buy me a dirt bike or a game or something, but this particular year, my dad was like, why don’t you get a studio? I wasn’t really into it because I thought I could just use my friends’ home studios, but I gave my dad the $700 and the next day I saw the studio equipment in the backroom, and when we hooked it up, I had learned how to use it and soon after made my first song.

Who were your musical heroes growing up?

I most definitely love Andre 3000 and 2Pac. I most definitely love Drake, as far as melody goes and how he puts it. I most definitely like Rick Ross, the old Wayne, and Anthony Hamilton.

Name an album, artist or experience that changed your perspective on music?

Me just being around a lot of talent. A lot of artists from Atlanta came to my studio and ended up getting hot. A lot of artists started to make a lot of money, getting a great name in the streets recording out of my studio. I was making music too, but I was mostly making beats and mixing for everybody. Seeing them take off with the music and not trying to come back and help me out with my situation, or try to give me a feature or exposure, I started putting it in my hands and I just started working harder on my music. I think that’s why I am who I am today. I just started focusing on my music and on me. Let me go ahead and grind.

What’s your dream collaboration?

Anthony Hamilton. The would be the dream, man. That’s my number 1. If I could do a song with him, I’d be good.

Tell us about your latest project, The DefAnition.

The DefAnition was a project to let my fans know I do real music. When I first dropped 4 Reasons, it wasn’t doing a lot of numbers, but all of a sudden it blew up. Fans started gravitating towards me, started knowing the songs. I thought it would be a great time to drop The DefAnition with London On Da Track. You know, he got his own situation going on, too, so that could help my situation out, and put a stamp on whatever I have going on. So I did that to let my fans know I’m in it to stay and I got more of it.

What’s the craziest experience you’ve had in your career so far?

I’m more so excited when I see people, people I might not even know, that I may have never crossed paths with, and they run up to you and hug you. They look at you like they know you. They follow you your whole life and whole career. That type of experience is wild. Whatever you say, they listen without ever meeting you. It’s crazy.

Tell us a fun fact about you or your music.

I watch Animal Planet a lot. I love watching the shows where they rescue the dogs, Animal Cops. Where they lock up the people that abuse the dogs. I love dogs so…

Recommend another rising artist you believe in.

All the LoveLife artists. Next up.

What’s next for Dae Dae?

Gonna drop 5 Reasons. Biggest tape in the world. One of those tapes where you’re gonna be like, “what the fuck was he on?” type shit. One of those amazing, worldwide projects. I’m dropping that on December 24th, on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas!

Looking one year ahead, what was the best thing that happened to you?

Moving my kids to better place.

And finally, if your music was a [choose: car/tree/animal/food/physical object] what type would it be?

If my music was a car, it gotta be the baddest old school in the world.

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